To the Point
To the Point
Share |

State of the Union: New Beginning or Beginning of the End?

Host:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Podcast iTunes Podcast
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Listen Download Add to My Shows
Legacy Player: Listen

With Congress now dominated by Democrats, last night's State of the Union speech was an opportunity to re-assert presidential authority. Will proposals on health insurance, immigration and energy get a real hearing or will the war in Iraq drown out everything else?   Plus, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says no to the president, and on Reporter's Notebook, was Louis "Scooter" Libby a scapegoat for Karl Rove?

Making News

Senate Committee Opposes Troop Surge ()

In last night's State of the Union address, President Bush asked Congress to support his troop increase in Iraq, but the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today passed a resolution saying it's "not in the national interest."  Indiana Republican Richard Lugar said he was "not confident the plan will succeed," but he voted against the resolution. Nebraska's Chuck Hagel was the only Republican who voted yes. John Donnelly covers defense and foreign policy for Congressional Quarterly.

Guests:
Links:

Main Topic

State of the Union: New Beginning or Beginning of the End? ()

Last night, for the first time, President Bush faced a Democratic Congress, with his own poll ratings lower than ever.  In his State of the Union address, he defended his troop increase plan and asked Congress to "give it a chance." Today, a Senate committee passed a non-binding resolution repudiating what he calls the "new way forward." Did the President get any traction with his proposals on health insurance, immigration and curbing energy use? Are Congress and the American people still listening to anything but news about the unpopular war in Iraq?  We speak with journalists, pollsters, strategists and public-policy experts about a President struggling to re-assert his authority.

Guests:
Links:

Reporter's Notebook

Scooter Libby Points the Finger at Karl Rove ()

Yesterday in a Washington courtroom, the trial of Vice President Cheney's former top aide got off with a bang. Louis "Scooter" Libby's lawyer said his client was "sacrificed" by the White House to protect political operative Karl Rove. Libby is accused of lying to federal investigators. His trial has turned the spotlight back on Karl Rove, the White House and Republican politics.  Evan Perez reports for the Wall Street Journal.

Guests:
Links:

Transcripts of To the Point are available from The Transcription Company, (818) 848-6500, or www.transcripts.net. A CD copy is available by calling 1.888.600.5279

Engage & Discuss

Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.

For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.